Launch of Richmond Barracks project, Inchicore
Minister Heather Humphreys with Catherine Byrne TD and Michael Conaghan TD at the launch of the Richmond Barracks project, Inchicore
HE Dominick Chilcott CMG, British Ambassador with Scott Golden, Asst Coordinator Canal LESN at the launch of the Richmond Barracks project, Inchicore
Evelyn Lane, Coordinator and Scott Golden CLESN at the Richmond Barracks Launch, Inchicore.
Catherine Byrne TD; Liam Cosgrave (Former Taoiseach): Minister Heather Humphries TD; HE Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador; Michael Conaghan TD at the launch of the Richmond Barracks project, Inchicore
Ifeoma Oduntan, Canal LESN and Olive Currivan, Canal LESN Job Club at Richmond Barracks Project launch
Today, 2nd October 2014, saw the launch of the project for the restoration of the Richmond Barracks in Inchicore. The event attracted national and local media attention with news crews and journalists from all the major stations present. The invited audience was drawn from a broad cross-section of the community with residents from Inchicore and surrounding areas, representatives from many community and voluntary groups as well as statutory funded agencies and Dublin City Council present. Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphries TD preformed the official launch of the project and in her address touched on the many shades of Irish history to which the walls of the Richmond Barracks bore witness. Other dignitaries included His Excellency Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador; the Lord Mayor, Cllr Christy Burke and Michael Conaghan TD, Chairman of The Kilmainham and Inchicore Heritage Group. Also in attendance were Catherine Byrne TD and Aongus O’Snodaigh TD. A special guest of honour for the occasion was former Taoiseach Mr Liam Cosgrave son of W.T. Cosgrave, one of the leaders of the 1916 rebellion, who was held in the barracks after their surrender. The project is spearheaded by 2016 Richmond Barracks whose aim is to “restore and commemorate the heritage of Richmond Barracks” The project itself is part of the national framework of events to commemorate 1916 but today’s ceremony also contained reflections on other elements of the barracks history, as it played a significant role as an embarkation base for regiments of the British army prior to departure for service in the Crimean War, Boer War and, most significantly, World War I. As the project progresses it is envisaged that the restored barracks will be a major tourist experience, with state of the art technology that will facilitate obvious links to the other national heritage sites in the area (Kilmainham Gaol, War Memorial Gardens and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham). It will also be a place of learning and an educational resource that will create employment opportunities during its restoration phase and upon completion. This is a major development for the area and, hot on the heels of the major initiative taking place at St. James’s Hospital, it is hoped that these significant projects will attract much needed commerce to the Canals area. The 2016 Richmond Barracks project is led by Eadaoin Ni Chleirigh.
